At the Itemizer-Observer, we encourage and welcome letters to the editor. We appreciate the time you take to let us know what’s on your mind, from thanking people and organizations who have helped make a project reality, to letting us know when you have an adverse experience, to sharing posi…

The Youth MIC group met Thursday to begin discussions on how they can affect change in their communities. The Monmouth Independence Council, made up of young people aged 16 to 24, gathered with mentors and members of the Multnomah Youth Council to get ideas started.

At Monday’s Dallas council meeting, Councilor Micky Garus suggested that the community consider closing its aquatic center, putting roughly $400,000 a year into public safety officers for Dallas police and fire, essentially eliminating the need for a safety utility fee.

CLARIFICATION: The council has not approved the public safety fee itself, but rather approved asking the city attorney to draft an ordinance to establish the fee. That ordinance will be read at the council's next meeting on Sept. 4, and, if approved, will move toward final adoption at its second reading on Sept. 17.

The second election season of 2018 is nearly here. Next week will be the last week to submit a letter to the editor on an election-related topic until fall, when we gear up for November’s general election.

As we are busy investigating our local Community Champions, digging up all the good things our neighbors are doing in our communities, organizations and groups in Dallas, Falls City, Independence and Monmouth are putting the finishing touches on plans to host Santa and light trees.

Whether you choose to hit the shops on Thanksgiving, or Black Friday, or sit in your pajamas and search for deals online through Cyber Monday, holiday shopping means opportunities to brighten the day of a loved one.

What a somber start to the month, with multiple deaths in Polk County from car accidents, as reported in last week’s paper, to a mass shooting in Las Vegas that affects us all as we mourn with victims and their loved ones, to communities still recovering from massive hurricanes.